STEPHENSON HARWOOD

Cookies on Stephenson Harwood website.

We would like to place strictly necessary cookies and performance cookies on your computer to improve our website service. To find out more about how we use cookies, please view our cookie policy or click close to continue.

KEY CONTACT

In This Section

Awards

Winner at the Africa's Strategic Partner of the Year 2016 awards

Highly commended for our secondment programme

Africa

Our leading Africa practice has been active in Africa for many years. We regularly advise on key mandates of wide economic, political and strategic importance across Africa. We have advised listed and private companies, financial institutions, private clients, family offices, investment companies, private equity houses, governments and state-owned entities on a range of African-related matters.

Profile

Experience

Key contacts

Our connection with Africa extends beyond clients; we have formed strong relationships with local law firms, governments and businesses. We visit the continent regularly and many of our team were born and lived there. Our advice is set against a background of in-depth local knowledge.

We are stand-out specialists in arbitration and litigation, asset finance, capital markets, fraud and asset tracing, oil and gas, projects and infrastructure and renewables. We have particular expertise in the aviation, banking, construction, energy, infrastructure, mineral, rail and shipping sectors.

Our Africa practice, headquartered in London, includes members from our international offices in Paris, Dubai, Singapore, Seoul, Beijing and Hong Kong. This allows us to offer a full range of services to our clients.

We have a strong working relationship with leading local law firms in Africa, and well-developed secondment programme which has so far seen 36 secondees from leading African law firms and corporate entities spend time at Stephenson Harwood, along with members of our own team seconded to law firms in Africa.

"They are fantastic to work with ... They really are the type of firm you want to deal with for work out of Africa." Chambers Global 2016

Misappropriation of assets from the Arab Republic of Egypt

Advising and managing the global tracing and recovery of approximately US$ billions in misappropriated assets by the former regime. Involving allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering over nine jurisdictions.

Advising in allegations of fraud and forgery in the high-value case involving the defence in England of several attempts to enforce a Nigerian arbitration award, now valued at over US$350 million.

Transport for Cape Town, South Africa

Advised the City of Cape Town on the establishment of its new transport authority, Transport for Cape Town. Now advising on the development of TCT's integrated transport strategies.

Large African-based mining and metals company

Defending a US$400 million claim in arbitration proceedings and concurrent English High Court proceedings which resulted in clarifying the High Court's view on seeking interim relief in support of arbitration.

African Government

Advising on previous and future transportation contracts, reviewing contract terms, potential breaches of local procurement rules and potentially set aside contracts because of undue influence/fraud.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)

Advised on a 23% investment into an AIM-listed company, Ncondezi Energy Limited, an African power development company which is developing a coal mine and associated coal-fired power plant in the Tete region of Mozambique.

Ambience Ventures and Qalaa Holdings, Kenya and Uganda

Advised on the initial acquisition of a majority stake in the national rail operator of Kenya and Uganda, Rift Valley Railways. We subsequently advised on the buy-out of Transcentury, bringing Ambience's overall holding to 85%.

Soma Oil & Gas, Somalia

Advised on its agreement with the government of Somalia to assist in the development of the country’s hydrocarbons sector and its subsequent US$50 million equity investment.

Green Africa Power LLP

We continue to advise this fund established to stimulate private sector investment in renewable energy in sub-Sahara Africa. Providing on-going advice on all corporate and commercial needs and on its investment in African projects.

Shipping company

Advised on the commercial and legal issues of its negotiations in respect of a seven year US$360 million charter, including operation and maintenance.